Collapsible containers for use as vertical files and covers therefore

ABSTRACT

Collapsible container formed from a flat, unitary plastic blank includes a front panel having opposite sides; a pair of side panels, each foldably connected to respective sides of the front panel and folded at substantially right angles to the front panel. Each side panel has a foldable rear panel folded at a substantially right angle to the respective side panel. One rear panel includes a locking slot and the other rear panel has a foldable locking tab inserted inside such slot to secure such rear panel to the other rear panel. Side panels have respective foldable bottom panels folded at a substantially right angle to respective side panels. One bottom panel includes a securing tab extending therefrom and the other bottom panel includes a securing slot into which such securing tab is inserted to secure the bottom panels together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a blank formed to be folded into a collapsible container for use as a vertical file and/or a cover and particularly to blanks that can be assembled and disassembled.

2. Relevant Art

A wide variety of boxes and other containers are formed from one or more blanks that may be folded in a predetermined manner along score lines. What is desired is a container that can be quickly and easily assembled from a flat plastic blank to form a freestanding vertical file for pamphlets, scrapbook papers, folders and similar items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying paper articles which includes a front panel having opposite sides; a pair of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective side of the front panel and each adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to the front panel; each side panel including a rear panel foldably connected thereto and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to the respective side panel; one rear panel having at least one locking slot, another rear panel having at least one foldable locking tab sized to fit inside at least one locking slot to secure one rear panel to another rear panel. Each side panel has a bottom panel foldably connected to respective side panel and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to the respective side panel. One bottom panel includes at least one securing tab extending therefrom and another bottom panel includes at least one securing slot and the at least one securing tab being bendable to fit within the at least one securing slot to secure one bottom panel to another. The blank is constructed from a unitary flexible resilient translucent plastic material. Each side panel includes a lower edge portion formed to include a pair of spaced feet for supporting a container formed of the blank.

The blank has a rear panel which has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap panel foldably connected to the lower portion and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel to locate the flap panel over the bottom panels when the bottom panels are secured together to locate the flap panel inwardly of and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed from the blank. The front panel has upper and lower portions and further includes another flap panel foldably connected to the lower portion of the front panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the front panel to locate the another flap panel over the bottom panels when the bottom panels are secured together to locate the another flap panel inwardly thereof and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed from the blank. The front panel has a finger hole therethrough to facilitate handling of a container formed from the blank. One locking slot includes a pair of spaced ends having a pair of opposed arcuate notches formed therein. The notches engage respective spaced ends of the locking slot when the locking tab of the rear panel is fully inserted into the locking slot of another rear panel.

One rear panel has a plurality of elongate locking slots, another rear panel has a plurality of foldable locking tabs sized to be insertable inside respective locking slots to secure one rear panel to another. One bottom panel includes a plurality of securing tabs extending therefrom, the other bottom panel including a plurality of generally rectangular securing slots. Each securing tab bendable to be insertable into respective securing slot to secure one bottom panel overlying and to the other. The securing tabs are located inside a container assembled from the blank. In addition, the locking tabs are located flat against one side panel when the locking tabs are inserted into respective locking slots.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible container for carrying paper articles including a front panel having opposite sides; a pair of spaced side panels, each foldably connected to a respective side of the front panel and folded at a substantially right angle to the front panel; each side panel including a rear panel foldably connected thereto and folded at a substantially right angle respective side panel, one rear panel having a locking slot, another rear panel having a foldable locking tab inserted inside one locking slot to secure the one rear panel to said another rear panel; each panel has a bottom panel foldably connected to respective side panel and folded at a substantially right angle to the respective side panel, one bottom panel including at least one securing tab extending therefrom, other bottom panel including a securing slot, one securing tab inserted within the securing slot to secure one bottom panel to another. One rear panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap panel foldably connected to the lower portion and bent at a right angle to one rear panel to locate the flap panel over the bottom panels when the bottom panels are secured together to locate the flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of the container. The front panel has upper and lower portions and further includes another flap panel foldably connected to the lower portions of the front panel and bent at a right angle to the front panel to locate another flap panel over the bottom panels when the bottom panels are secured together to locate another flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of the container. One locking tab has an upper portion having an arcuate notch formed therein and a lower portion having an arcuate notch formed therein, the notches are used for engaging one locking slot when one rear panel is secured to another rear panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top partial detail view of a locking tab of the blank of FIG. 1 being moved for insertion into a locking slot;

FIG. 3 is a top partial detail view of a locking tab of FIGS. 1 and 2 fully inserted into a locking slot;

FIG. 4 is a rearward partial detail view of a locking tab of FIG. 1 being moved towards a locking slot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the blank of FIG. 1 assembled into a vertical file;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the file of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the file of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled file of FIGS. 5-7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank for a cover for the file of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled cover of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With respect to the drawings, a blank 10 of clear or translucent plastic is shown in collapsed, unassembled form in FIG. 1. A front panel 11 has a finger hole 12 and is further defined by a score line 13 and a pair of spaced elongate score lines 17. A flap panel 4 is defined by score or fold line 13 and a tapered side portion 15 and a straight edge portion 16 and is used to reinforce the bottom of the assembled container or vertical file 53 (FIGS. 5-8).

A first side panel has straight edge portion 19, a slanted edge portion 20, another edge portion 21 and two elongate score or fold lines 22 and 33. A first rear panel 23 is defined by score line 22 and edge portions 24, 25 and 26. The first rear panel 23 includes three spaced vertical slots 27 each having spaced ends in the form of top and bottom end portions 28, 29.

A first bottom portion 30 is defined by an elongate score or fold line 33 and two slanted edge portions 31 and three rectangular securing tabs 32. Two spaced securing slots 34 are formed in the bottom portion 30 adjacent score line 33.

A second side panel 35 is substantially identical to panel 18 and includes edge portions 36, 37 and 38 and elongate score or fold lines 39 and 43. A second bottom panel 42 is also defined by elongate score or fold line 43 and includes a straight edge portion 46 and three spaced securing tab slots 44 and two spaced slots 45 closely adjacent score line 43.

A second rear panel 40 includes an elongate score or fold line 39 as one edge portion and an upper edge portion 50 and a lower score or fold line 47′ connecting to base panel 47. Panel 40 includes three spaced locking tabs 41 connected via spaced score or fold lines 41′. Flap panel 47 is substantially identical to panel 14 and has straight edge portion 49 and tapered edge portion 48 and is also used to reinforce the bottom of an assembled container 53.

FIG. 1 illustrates the inside surfaces of the blank 10 but it is to be understood that the specific construction of the blank 10 depends on which side the various score or fold lines used for foldable connections to facilitate bending panels and tabs in a specific direction with respect to the other portions of the blank 10.

The assembly of the blank 10 proceeds as follows. Panel 14 is folded towards the assembly along score line 13 to place it at a right angle to front panel 11.

Flap panel 47 is folded in a similar manner around score line 47′ with respect to panel 40. Panels 30 and 42 are also folded at right angles along respective score lines 33 and 43.

Side panel 40 is folded along score line 39 to place flap panel 47 above folded panel 42. Panel 14 is also positioned above panel 42 when side panel 35 is folded toward the user along score line 17.

Panel 30 is folded 90° along score line 33 to bring panel 30 below panel 42 and each tab 32 is inserted into respective tab slot 44. After this step panels 14 and 47 should be disposed over panel 42, which overlies panel 30.

Panel 23 is folded towards the user along score line 22 and each locking tab 41 is bent at a right angle along corresponding score line 41′ and inserted into respective locking slot 27 to position panel 40 outside panel 23.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top partial detail showing the folding of panel 40 and at right angle to place a folded locking tab 41 into a locking slot 27. The securing step is shown completed in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a locking tab 41 being moved towards a locking slot 27. The locking tab 41 includes a pair of spaced arcuate notches 51 to greatly inhibit the withdrawal of the tabs 41 once inserted into locking slots 27. The procedure for securing a locking tab 41 into a locking slot 27 involves forcing the lower end of a tab 41 into a slot 27 near a lower end portion 29 and then pushing the upper portion of a tab 41 into the slot 27 adjacent the upper end portion 28. Preferably, three locking tabs 41 are used and are preferably installed from the lower tab 41/slot 27 pair and then the middle pair and finally the uppermost pair.

FIG. 6 illustrates the assembled lower panels 30 and 42 connected together by forcing a respective securing tab 32 into a corresponding securing slot 44. There are preferably three spaced tab 32/slot 44 pairs as clearly shown.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate respective front, bottom and rear views of an assembled container 53 for use as a vertical file. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the container 53. Slots 34, 45 are formed to provide feet 34′, 45′ to elevate the bottom of the container slightly to compensate for the increased thickness resulting from the use of flap panels 14 and 47.

The blank 10 is preferably shipped and sold in a partially assembled form by inserting tabs 41 into slots 27 and leaving the bottom panels 30, 42 and flap panels 14, 47 flat and then folding the blank 10 to place the inside surface of front panel 11 against a portion of side panel 18 and to place rear panel 40 against a portion of side panel 35.

With respect to FIGS. 9 and 10, a container in the form of a cover for the container or vertical file 53 of FIGS. 1-8 is shown at 54. Side walls 55 and 56 connect end panels 59 and 85 to define interior space 57. End panel 84 is formed from overlapping panels 58 and 75.

Container or cover blank 54 is constructed in a manner substantially similar to that of the blank 10 used to form the assembled container 53 and, with the exception of slots 45 and feet 45′, is constructed in a similar manner.

Fold lines 62 and 63 separate bottom panels 72 and 84. Tabs 71 fit into slots 65, tabs 67 and 79 are positioned inside and rest above the assembled wall formed by overlapping panels 72, 84. Tabs 83 fit into slots 77 to secure overlapping panels 75, 85 to form wall 86 defined along score lines 77′ and 83′.

Container or cover 54 is sized to fit snugly over the upper portion of container or vertical file 53.

It is to be understood that terms such as “front” and “rear” are used as a manner of convenience since the finger hole 12 of container 53 usually faces outwardly toward a user when the container is placed on a shelf adjacent a rear wall of a house or a rear wall of a bookcase or the like.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying paper articles comprising: a first panel having opposite sides; a pair of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective said side of said first panel and each adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said first panel; each said side panel including a second panel foldably connected thereto and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel; one said second panel having at least one locking slot, another said rear panel having at least one foldable locking tab sized to fit inside said at least one locking slot to secure said one second panel to said another rear panel; each said side panel having a bottom panel foldably connected to respective said side panel and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel, one said bottom panel including at least one securing tab extending therefrom, another said bottom panel including at least one securing slot, said at least one securing tab being bendable to fit within said at least one securing slot to secure said one bottom panel to said another bottom panel.
 2. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said blank is constructed from a unitary resilient plastic material.
 3. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said blank is constructed from a flexible translucent plastic material.
 4. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein each said side panel includes a lower edge portion formed to include a pair of spaced feet for supporting a container formed of said blank.
 5. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one said second panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion and adapted to be bent at a right angle to said one second panel to locate said flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured together to locate said flap panel inwardly of and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed from said blank.
 6. The blank as defined in claim 5 wherein said first panel has upper and lower portions and further includes another flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion of said first panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to said first panel to locate said another flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured together to locate said another flap panel inwardly thereof and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed from said blank.
 7. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said first panel has a finger hole therethrough to facilitate handling of a container formed from said blank.
 8. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one locking slot includes a pair of spaced ends, said at least one locking tab having a pair of opposed arcuate notches formed therein, said notches engaging respective said spaced ends of said at least one locking slot when said at least one locking tab of one said second panel is fully inserted into said at least one locking slot of said another second panel.
 9. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said one second panel includes at least another locking slot spaced from said at least one locking slot and said another second panel includes at least another foldable locking tab spaced from said at least one locking slot and insertable inside said at least another locking slot to secure said one second panel to said another second panel.
 10. A flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying paper articles comprising: a generally rectangular first panel having opposite sides, a pair of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective said side of said first panel and each adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said first panel; each said side panel including a generally rectangular second panel foldably connected thereto and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel; one said second panel having a plurality of elongate locking slots, another said second panel having a plurality of foldable locking tabs sized to be insertable inside respective said locking slot to secure said one second panel to said another second panel; each said side panel having a generally square bottom panel foldably connected to a respective said side panel and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel, one said bottom panel including a plurality of securing tabs extending therefrom, other said bottom panel including a plurality of generally rectangular securing slots, each said securing tab bendable to be insertable into respective said securing slot to secure one said bottom panel overlying and to said other bottom panel.
 11. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein each said locking tab has a pair of arcuate notches formed therein, said notches for engaging respective said locking slot when said one second panel is secured to said another second panel to locate said one second panel flat against said another second panel
 12. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said front panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a first flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion of said first panel and said second panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a second flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion of said second panel, said first and second flap panels being bendable at right angles to locate said flap panels inside of an assembled container and resting against a bottom of such assembled container.
 13. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said securing tabs are located inside a container assembled from said blank.
 14. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said locking tabs are located flat against one said side panel when said locking tabs are inserted into respective said locking slots.
 15. A collapsible container for carrying paper articles comprising: a first panel having opposite sides; a pair of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective said side of said first panel and folded at a substantially right angle to said first panel; each said side panel including a second panel foldably connected thereto and folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel, one said second panel having at least one locking slot, another said second panel having at least one foldable locking tab inserted inside said at least one locking slot to secure said one second panel to said another second panel; each said side panel having a bottom panel foldably connected to respective said side panel and folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side panel, one said bottom panel including at least one securing tab extending therefrom, other said bottom panel including at least one securing slot, said at least one securing tab inserted within said at least one securing slot to secure said one bottom panel to said another bottom panel.
 16. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said container is constructed from a unitary resilient plastic material.
 17. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said container is formed of a flexible translucent plastic material.
 18. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said foldable connections are fold lines formed in said blank.
 19. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein one said second panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion and bent at a right angle to said one second panel to locate said flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured together to locate said flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of said container.
 20. The container as defined in claim 19 wherein said first panel has upper and lower portions and further includes another flap panel foldably connected to said lower portions of said first panel and bent at a right angle to said first panel to locate said another flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured together to locate said another flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of said container.
 21. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said front panel has a finger hole therethrough to facilitate handling of said container.
 22. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said at least one locking tab has an upper portion having an arcuate notch formed therein and a lower portion having an arcuate notch formed therein, said notches for engaging said at least one locking slot when said one said second panel is secured to said another second panel. 